Recently in College Recruiting Category

Upland High School junior defensive end Joe Mathis received scholarship offers from Oregon State and Washington State on Wednesday, according to Upland assistant coach Mike Esquivel. Also on Wednesday, rivals.com released its top 100 recruits for the class of 2013 and the 6-foot-4, 250-pound Mathis was the only player from the Inland Valley to make the list.

Mathis has seven scholarship offers, according to rivals.com: Colorado, Indiana, Oregon State, San Diego State, UCLA, Washington and Washington State. Mathis committed to Washington on Oct. 25, but de-committed in early January.

Through it's 360 days away, the Rancho Cucamonga High School football team is getting an early jump on next National Signing Day. Junior defensive backs Chris Hawkins and Tahaan Goodman have already compiled 16 scholarship offers between them.

Hawkins, an all-CIF cornerback last season, has offers from Nebraska, Stanford, UCLA, Boise State, Cal, San Diego State, Northwestern, Washington and Washington State. Goodman, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound safety, has offers from Nebraska, Boise State, South Florida, UCLA, Cal, San Diego State and Washington State.

Hawkins, a 6-0, 170-pound cornerback, had two interceptions and 32 tackles while Goodman had 45 tackles for a defense that allowed 16.3 points per game, the lowest in a Baseline League that advanced two teams to the CIF-SS Inland Division semifinals.

*** Updated***

BASEBALL
Bryan Conant, Alta Loma, Cal State Fullerton
Cortland Cox, Alta Loma, Cal Baptist
Daniel Robertson, Upland, UCLA
Tyler Rowe, Los Osos, University of New Mexico

BASKETBALL
Jillian Alleyne, Summit, Oregon
Sophie Bhasin, Cajon, Long Island University

Upland High School four-star receiver Kenny Lawler chose Cal, albeit with a slight hesitation, when the senior announced his collegiate intentions live on Fox Sports West on national signing day. Upland teammate Christian Powell, rated the No. 3 fullback in the nation by scout.com, switched his commitment from UCLA to Colorado on Monday night and signed with the Buffaloes this morning. Upland offensive lineman Kenyatta Johnson picked up a late offer from Texas Southern and signed with the FCS school on Wednesday.

Lawler, who narrowed a list of 17 scholarship offers to finalists Cal, Oregon State and Washington State, was committed to Arizona State prior to the Sun Devils coaching change after the season. It has been a rollercoaster ride ever since.

"Some days I felt like I was with one school then I'd get a call from another coach and they can tell you some stuff that really gets in your head," Lawler said. "This whole process is crazy. It can be stressful, it can make you happy, it's just kind of all over the place."

Donta Abron, RB, Upland -- Colorado
Jacob Ardron, LB, Diamond Ranch -- Columbia
Zach Beard, OL/DL, Los Osos -- Nebraska Kearney (Division II)
Blake Benjamin, OL, Diamond Ranch -- Navy
Donte Deayon, DB, Summit -- Boise State
Austin DeCoud, QB, Redlands East Valley -- Idaho
Jamal Ellis, DB, Redlands East Valley -- Fresno State
Nick Enriquez, OL, Chino Hills -- Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Edmond Faimaalo, OL, Redlands East Valley, Sacramento State (FCS)
Andrew Fischer, ATH, Diamond Ranch -- Harvard
Kevin Gabigan, OL, Redlands -- UC Davis
Brandon Greene, OL, Redlands East Valley -- Air Force
Aiseah Hanson, OL, Kaiser - Nevada
Bryan Harper, ATH, Colony -- Arizona
Ezekiel Herndon, WR/DB, Bloomington -- S. Dakota St.
Reshawn Hooker, LB, Miller -- Utah
Kenyatta Johnson, OL, Upland -- Texas Southern (FCS)
Damontae Kazee, DB, Cajon -- San Diego State
Gerrad Kough, OL, Pomona -- Colorado
Dylan La Frentz, OL, Los Osos -- Northern Arizona
Koa LaBonta, DB, Los Osos -- Army
Eddie Martinez, LB, Colony -- Western New Mexico (Division II)
Chris Miller, DB, Diamond Ranch -- Oregon State
Marques Mosley, DB, Upland -- Colorado
Brandon Mosley, TE, Summit -- Colorado St. Pueblo (Division II)
Christian Powell, FB, Upland -- Colorado
Metuisela Unga, TE, Rancho Cucamonga -- Fresno State
Robert Wagner, LB, Colony -- New Mexico State
Jamaal Williams, LB, Summit -- BYU
Junior Colleges
Travis Coons, K, Mt. San Antonio (Alta Loma HS) -- Washington
Perris Scoggins, TE, Mt. San Jacinto (Summit HS) -- New Mexico State
Bryan Oldenkamp, OL, Chaffey College (Hesperia HS) -- New Mexico
Blake Loncar, QB, Citrus College (Los Osos HS) -- Indiana State

Yesterday neither Bryan Harper nor Robert Wagner were even sure they were going to sign national letters of intent today. But both of the Colony High School football prospects' recruiting roller coasters came to rest on national signing day as Harper, a three-star athlete, signed with Arizona and Wagner, a three-star linebacker, signed with New Mexico State, according to Colony athletic director Jaime Sandoval.

Harper, who was committed to Washington prior to the December departure of defensive backs coach Demetrice Martin, among others, chose Arizona over offers from Oregon and UCLA, where Martin was hired. Arizona offered Harper prior to the firing of Mike Stoops and the new coaching staff was the final school to enter the sweepstakes. Primarily recruited as a cornerback, Arizona is entertaining the idea of Harper playing quarterback as he did part-time at Colony.

Wagner lost both of his Pac-12 offers due to coaching changes at Arizona State and Arizona, his top choice. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker, who had eight offers prior to the coaching changes, was offered by New Mexico State on Tuesday but as of this morning wasn't sure he would sign with anyone. Wagner's running mate, linebacker Eddie Martinez, will be close by after signing with Division II Western New Mexico.

Through the eyes of a teenager, football typically is viewed as the destination, not the vehicle. Football sometimes begets a free college education courtesy of the small number of lucrative scholarships, but in the case of the four captains of the Diamond Ranch High School football team, it's quite the opposite.

Whether it's congressmen or Ivy League school officials in the meeting room, game film never is a request, but football might be the most appealing extracurricular activity available. Jacob Ardron believes he likely wouldn't have been admitted to Columbia without the football prowess that made him an all-CIF middle linebacker. Andrew Fischer, a track-star receiver, was on the radar of Pacific-12 Conference schools but physics programs don't get much better than those he'll be in at Harvard next year. Blake Benjamin and Peter Neise will head off to Navy and Army, respectively, next year after completing rigorous application processes that required more time than they devoted to football.

Each of the four Diamond Ranch captains will sign with their respective schools Wednesday, national signing day, but their all-expenses paid educations are what they are most happy to be cementing. Each of the seniors maintain grade-point averages greater than 4.5 on a four-point scale, literally off the charts for your average high school student but fairly pedestrian in the Ivy League.

There are a few local players yet to decide with whom they'll sign on Wednesday, National Signing Day, but most have made verbal commitments and all that's left is to ink their name on a letter of intent. The Colony duo of athlete Bryan Harper and linebacker Robert Wagner have yet to settle on their plans. On Fox Sports West tomorrow, Harper will reveal his decision between Oregon, UCLA and Arizona. Wagner, who after losing his two Pac-12 offers due to coaching changes is weighing offers from New Mexico State and Idaho, will likely not sign tomorrow. Upland receiver Kenny Lawler, who has narrowed his list to Cal and Oregon State, will also announce on Fox Sports West.

Here is a list of those already committed:
Donta Abron, RB, Upland -- Colorado
Jacob Ardron, LB, Diamond Ranch -- Columbia
Blake Benjamin, OL, Diamond Ranch -- Navy
Donte Deayon, DB, Summit -- Boise St.
Austin DeCoud, QB, Redlands East Valley -- Idaho
Jamal Ellis, DB, Redlands East Valley -- Fresno State
Nick Enriquez, OL, Chino Hills -- Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Edmonmd Faimaalo, OL, Redlands East Valley, Sacramento State
Andrew Fischer, ATH, Diamond Ranch -- Harvard
Kevin Gabigan, OL, Redlands -- UC Davis
Brandon Greene, OL, Redlands East Valley -- Air Force
Reshawn Hooker, LB, Miller -- Utah
Damontae Kazee, DB, Cajon -- San Diego St.
Gerrad Kough, OL, Pomona -- Colorado
Dylan La Frentz, OL, Los Osos -- Northern Arizona
Koa LaBonta, DB, Los Osos -- Army
Chris Miller, DB, Diamond Ranch -- Oregon State
Marques Mosley, DB, Upland -- Colorado
Christian Powell, FB, Upland -- UCLA
Jamaal Williams, LB, Summit -- BYU

Miller football coach Marcus Soward reports that linebacker Reshawn Hooker, a first-team All-Sun selection, has given a verbal commitment to play for the University of Utah.
Soward said that the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Hooker chose Utah over Colorado, Arizona State and Hawaii.
"There were some other schools like SC looking at him as a DB, but its better for him to play a position he's been playing for years," Soward said.
Hooker had 112 tackles, eight sacks, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions in 10 games for Miller.

Will Lester/Staff Photographer
Upland's Christian Powell carries in the Highlanders' 39-18 loss to Vista Murrieta in the CIF-SS Inland Division semifinals.

Upland High School fullback Christian Powell verbally committed to UCLA today, choosing his latest offer over that of Colorado, according to the Upland coaching staff. Powell said he was on the verge of committing to Colorado, to which two of his Upland teammates have verbally pledged, until the Bruins' new coaching staff offered him on Jan 4. Powell expressed the desire to remain close to home and once he felt comfortable with his role as in the new-look UCLA offense, he was ready to commit.

Powell had eight scholarship offers from which to choose: UCLA, Colorado, Texas A&M, Nebraska, Washington, Arkansas State, San Jose State and UC Davis. USC got involved this week, but Powell wasn't interested. Most of the suitors offered the 5-foot-11, 250-pound senior as a fullback, but Arkansas State and USC were interested in him as a defensive tackle. Playing defensive end for Upland last season, Powell collected 90 tackles and 15 sacks.

Upland defensive back Marques Mosley and running back Donta Abron have already committed to Colorado. Abron was especially hopeful Powell would choose Colorado after the fullback helped pave the way for his 1,754 yards and 33 touchdowns. Powell showed some running ability himself, plowing his way to 400 yards and seven touchdowns on just 40 carries.

Two Upland football players have made verbal commitments to Colorado but two more, who happen to be two of the Inland Valley's highest profile recruits, are yet to make their intentions known as National Signing Day approaches.

Highlanders fullback Christian Powell was set to join running back Donta Abron and defensive back Marques Mosley at Colorado until the new coaching staff at UCLA made him a scholarship offer Jan. 4. Powell, who said he will make a decision between his eight offers this week, returned from an official visit to UCLA last weekend impressed by the Bruins.

"I was about to commit to Colorado," Powell said. "I liked (UCLA) a lot. I had a good visit. I don't know man but I think I'm leaning toward (UCLA)."

Upland receiver Kenny Lawler, who decommitted from Arizona State Nov. 28, will visit Oregon State this weekend but may not make a decision on his future until until close Signing Day on Feb. 1. The four-star recruit has narrowed his list to Oregon State, Oklahoma State, Washington State and UCLA.

Upland's football season may be over but the team isn't lacking for action. In the last week, one player has committed, one has de-committed and two others have received scholsrship offers.

Fresh off a 1,750-yard, 33-touchdown senior season, running back Donta Abron verbally committed to Colorado on Sunday, according to Upland head coach Tim Salter, after returning from a recruiting trip to Boulder, Colo., to visit the campus along with teammates Christian Powell and Marques Mosley. All three were offered scholarships by Colorado, but it was Abron who made a pledge, choosing the Buffaloes over offers from Idaho, New Mexico, San Diego State, San Jose State and New Mexico State. Colorado offensive coordinator and running backs coach Eric Bieniemy had no small part in luring Abron to Boulder.

Diamond Ranch's Chris Miller verbally committed to Oregon State on Monday after receiving a written scholarship offer from Beavers head football coach Mike Riley, according to Diamond Ranch coach Roddy Layton. Miller, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound athlete, plays both running back and safety for Diamond Ranch. Washington, who has also shown interest in Miller, was coming on strong around the same time Oregon State made the senior his first offer.

There is plenty of mid-season recruiting action in the Baseline League, which had its second player of the week make a verbal commitment to a Pac-12 school. On Thursday it was Los Osos offensive tackle Dylan La Frenz committing to Arizona State, according to Los Osos head coach Tom Martinez. The 6-foot-3, 285-pound senior also had offers from Arizona and Florida International.

On Friday, Upland defensive end/fullback Christian Powell received an offer from Washington, to whom Upland teammate Joe Mathis committed on Wednesday. Powell now has three offers, including Nebraska and Arkansas State, but has not made a commitment. Nebraska offered the 5-11, 250-pound senior on Oct. 15 as a fullback. Arkansas State offered him as a defensive end, where he has collected 55 tackles and nine sacks this season. Washington is interested in him playing both positions. Powell is also receiving interest from Texas A&M.

Upland junior defensive end Joe Mathis received a scholarship offer from Washington Monday night and immediately issued a verbal commitment to the Huskies, according to the Upland coaching staff. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Mathis, who also had an offer from Indiana, has 43 tackles and four sacks on the season for an undefeated Upland team ranked No. 3 in the CIF-SS Inland Division.

It has been a good couple of weeks for the Highlanders football team, who defeated defending Baseline League champion Rancho Cucamonga on Friday to preserve their perfect record. Last week it was Christian Powell, who plays defensive end opposite Mathis, who received a scholarship offer from Nebraska.

According to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Damien senior Chris Reyes verbally committed Monday night to play basketball at St. Mary's next season. The 6-foot-7 Reyes, who averaged 17.7 points and 10.3 rebounds last season, will join a program that has reached the NCAA tournament three times since 2005 including a run to the sweet 16 two years ago. The school is located in the Bay area.

Reyes, a first-team all-Valley selection the last two seasons, led Damien to a 26-4 record last season, a Sierra League championship and helped the Spartans advance to the semifinals of the CIF-SS Division 3A playoffs where they lost by three to eventual champion Harvard-Westlake.

Upland's Christian Powell, who has already received one offer to play defensive end in college, received his first as a fullback on Saturday. The 5-foot-11, 250-pound senior had an offer from Arkansas State but Nebraska has given him his first chance to play offense in college.

Powell, a preseason first-team All-Valley defensive end, already has a team-leading nine sacks and 50 tackles through six games after collecting 63 tackles and 7.5 sacks last season. Upland head coach Tim Salter called Powell the best fullback in the area... apparently Nebraska agrees.

Rancho Cucamonga softball player Katee Aguirre verbally committed to defending College World Series champion Arizona State during her official visit to the campus Sept. 24, according to Rancho Cucamonga coach Mike Lindensmith.

The senior catcher, a three-time first-team all-Baseline League selection who stands 6-foot-3, had a scholarship offer from Western Kentucky but when Arizona State offered during her visit to Tempe, Ariz., it was an easy decision.

"That's where she wanted to go all along," Lindensmith said. "She doesn't quite get the recognition in our league because we haven't been doing as well lately, but we've always known what type of kid she is."

Donte Deayon's front-row seat for Summit High School football teammate Devon Blackmon's three-year courtship by everyone from the Pac-12 to the SEC apparently left a lasting impression.

Deayon verbally committed exactly one scholarship offer into his recruitment.

From the parade of college coaches through the Summit campus to the higher-intensity home visits prior to Blackmon's commitment to Oregon less than a month before national signing day, Deayon saw no reason to endure the stress after Boise State offered the rising senior defensive back a scholarship this summer.

Summit running back Jamaal Williams verbally committed to BYU on Wednesday, according to Summit head coach Tony Barile. The rising senior who is listed at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, chose BYU among scholarship offers from Utah, Boise State, San Diego State, New Mexico State and Idaho.

There was talk Williams would play defense in college - he is likely well over 180 pounds currently but is athletic enough to play a variety of positions, including safety - but BYU prefers he play running back. Williams carried 93 times for 717 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. Williams also made 42 tackles, two sacks and an interception playing a variety of positions on defense.

Williams is the second player from Summit to commit this summer after defensive back Donte Deayon issued a verbal pledge to Boise State three weeks ago while attending the school's camp.

Colony cornerback Bryan Harper picked up four scholarship offers in the past week alone. The senior was issued offers by Arizona, UCLA, Washington and Colorado last week, according to Colony head coach Matt Bechtel, giving the 6-foot, 180-pound transfer from Carter a total of nine offers.

Arizona State made Harper his first offer on May 29, but the rising senior's recruitment has since fast gained momentum. His other offers include Colorado State, Montana and New Mexico State.

Colony teammate Robert Wagner has added an offer from UTEP to give the rising senior linebacker a total of six. Arizona offered the 6-foot-2, 215-pound inside backer his first scholarship on March 9 and shortly afterward he was extended offers by Arizona State, Utah State and San Jose State.

Kaiser senior pitcher Chance Fuglistahler has accepted scholarship offer from Division I Long Island University, according to Kaiser head baseball coach Mike Spinuzzi. The four-year starter at Kaiser, who holds nearly every school pitching record, went 9-5 with a 2.59 ERA this year and struck out 72 batters in 89 innings. Fuglistahler also batted .343 with nine RBIs and 20 runs scored as a senior.

Last week the University of Idaho offered Upland High School running back Donta Abron his first scholarship, according to a press release. The rising senior, who rushed for 1,132 yards and 12 touchdowns on 149 carries last season, was offered by Idado secondary coach Patrick Libey.

"I spoke with Coach Libey and it was like a dream come true for me when coach told me University of Idaho is offering me," Abron said. "I put a lot of hard work in and it's great to see it pay off. I'm excited to see what Idaho is all about."

Upland teammate Kenny Lawler continues to add to his growing list of scholarship offers, Oregon State being the latest to offer the 6-foot-3, 175-pound senior-to-be. Lawler now has offers from Arizona State, to which he issued a soft verbal commitment in February, Nebraska, Arizona, UCLA, Washington, Oregon State, SMU and Northern Arizona.

Rancho Cucamonga High School wide receiver Donovan Harden has signed with Illinois State, an FCS school in Normal, Ill. Helping the Cougars to the CIF-SS Inland Division semifinals last season, the 6-foot, 165-pound Harden had 60 receptions for 1,135 yards and 15 touchdowns. Harden had scholarship offers from Sacramento State, New Mexico and Eastern Washington in additoin to invitations to walk on at USC and Washington State, according to his father, Jeffrey Harden.

Arby Fields is still unsure where he went wrong at Northwestern but the Los Osos High School graduate is hoping everything will go right at LSU. After three semesters at Northwestern and one at Cypress Junior College, the two-sport star from Rancho Cucamonga has transferred to LSU where he will focus on baseball and potentially not set foot on a football field.

Eight months ago Fields was coming off a fantastic freshman baseball season -- the starting center fielder hit .292 with 27 RBIs -- and entered football season as the starting running back for the Wildcats.

There were a couple of fumbles and a nagging shoulder injury, but Fields is unsure to this day why he fell out of favor at Northwestern. The team's leading rusher as a freshman had just six carries over the final eight games of his sophomore season.

"To be honest, I never got a straight answer," Fields said. "I really didn't know what it was. I didn't leave on a bad note. I wasn't forced out or anything but the coaches and I weren't on the same page. I decided that if I was going to achieve my goals in life I needed to make a change."

Following their CIF-SS Eastern Division championship game appearance, a pair of Summit football players were offered their first scholarships Tuesday, according to Summit head coach Tony Barile. Defensive back Donte Deayon was offered by Boise State and running back Jamaal Williams by San Diego State.

Deayon, a 5-foot-9, 160-pound junior who was a member of the All-Valley team, made a school record 10 interceptions last season to go along with seven pass deflections and 33 tackles. Deayon was the SkyHawks' leading receiver with 38 receptions for 584 yards and five touchdowns, but Boise State intends for him to play in the defensive backfield.

Williams, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound junior, was offered as a running back after carrying 93 times for 717 yards and 11 TDs last season. Williams also made 42 tackles, two sacks and an interception playing a variety of positions on defense.

Los Osos offensive lineman Dylan La Frentz has been offered by Arizona, according to a text message from Los Osos head coach Tom Martinez. The 6-foot-3, 285-pound junior also has an offer from Florida International.

Colony linebacker Robert Wagner has added three scholarship offers since receiving his first from Arizona on March 9. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound junior inside linebacker now has offers from Arizona State, Utah State and San Jose State as well, according to Colony head coach Matt Bechtel. Wagner had 64 tackles, two sacks and an interception last season for the Titans and also pulled in seven receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown as a tight end.

Colony CB/QB Bryan Harper received his first offer Friday from Arizona State. USC, Oregon and UCLA are also showing interest in the 6-foot, 180-pound junior transfer from Carter, according to Bechtel.

Thursday is was UCLA that offered Upland junior receiver Kenny Lawler his fifth scholarship. Friday Arizona made it six, according to the Upland coaching staff. The 6-foot-3 175-pounder now has offers from Arizona State, to which he issued a soft verbal commitment in February, Washington, Nebraska, SMU, UCLA and Arizona.

Diamond Ranch offensive lineman Alvaro Estrella secured a priority walk-on from Fresno State on Thursday, meaning the senior will be guaranteed a spot on the Bulldogs next season but will not be receiving a scholarship. Estrella passed up a scholarship offer from Hampton, a FCS school in Virginia. Diamond Ranch kicker Jeff Stamp signed with Ottawa University, an NAIA school in Kansas. Ottawa head coach Kent Kessinger personally visited Diamond Ranch to sign Stamp.

The scholarship offers are beginning to pile up for Upland junior receiver Kenny Lawler, who's latest suitor is UCLA, which issued an offer on Thursday. The 6-foot-3, 175-pounder ranked the No. 70 receiver in the country by scout.com, issued a soft verbal commitment to Arizona State in February but is open to other offers. Lawler, who had 42 receptions for 882 yards and nine touchdowns last season, has offers from Nebraska, Washington, Arizona State, UCLA and SMU.

Upland wide receiver Kenneth Lawler has received three scholarship offers in the last two weeks, according to Upland head football coach Tim Salter. The 6-foot-3, 175-pound junior was most recently offered by Washington Friday after receiving offers from Nebraska and SMU in the two previous weeks.

Lawler, who made 42 receptions for 882 yards and nine touchdowns his junior season, issued a soft verbal commitment in February to his first suitor, Arizona State, which offered him in December. Lawler said he is still open to other offers.

"I think this stage of the recruiting procecss is very exciting," Lawler said via text message. "I just hae to think about all these different colleges cause I can only attend one."

Lawler may have committed to Arizona State in part because his father is friends with the Sun Devils's recruiting coordinator, according to Salter.

"It's just a soft commitment," Salter said. "His father is good friends with the recruiting coordinator at Arizona State because they used to coach together but he's still fielding offers."

Colony linebacker Robert Wagner received a scholarship offer on Wednesday from Arizona, the first offer for the junior, according to Colony head football coach Matt Bechtel. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound inside linebacker collected 64 tackles, two sacks and an interception last season for the Titans. Wagner also had seven receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown as a tight end but the junior is being recruited to play defense in college.

"He'll probably get several more offers," Bechtel said. "Washington is interested and so is USC."

Here is a list of each football player who signed a national letter of intent Wednesday from the Daily Bulletin coverage area and all of San Bernardino County.

Promise Amadi, WR, Chino - Hawaii
Josh Armstrong, DB, Redlands East Valley - Sacramento State (FCS)
Devon Blackmon, WR, Summit - Oregon
Allen Brown, OL, San Dimas - Fresno State
Desman Carter, DB, Kaiser - Nevada
Jacoby Carter, DB, Diamond Ranch - Sacramento State (FCS)
Joseph Carter, DE, Chaffey College - Nebraska
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, DB, Chino Hills - Oregon
Walter Earnest, DE, Kaiser - UC Davis (FCS)
Tyler Ervin, RB/DB, Colton - San Jose State
Johntel Franklin, DB, Victor Valley College - Texas A&M
Rodney Hardrick, LB, Colton - Oregon
Nate Harris, DB, Chino Hills - Montana (FCS)
Dallas Kelley, LB, Chaffey College - USC
Daniel Kessler, QB, Claremont - Utah (preferred walk-on)
Marcus Mason, RB, Etiwanda - Washington State
Justin Nunes, QB, Upland - UC Davis (FCS)
Quinton Pedroza, WR, Chino - Utah
Paul Pitts, WR, Los Osos - San Diego State
Jamal Prater, OL, Etiwanda - Oregon
Chase Price, RB, Diamond Ranch - San Diego State
Paul Rodriguez, OL, San Gorgonio - San Diego State
Greg Sherwood, Los Osos, LB - Nebraska at Kearney (Division II)
Christian Solis, Western Christian, WR - Malone University (Division II)
John Siliga, DL, Redlands - Portland State (FCS)
Jordan Smith, OL, Redlands - San Diego State
Daimion Stafford, DB, Chaffey College - Nebraska
Dennis Taylor, LB, Kaiser - Portland State (FCS)
John Taylor, OL/DL, Colton - Sacramento State (FCS)
Andrew Tibbs, OL/DL,Colony - Bemidji State (Division II)
Brandon Tuliaupupu, DL, Claremont - UCLA
Jake Van Ginkel, K, Upland - Boise State
Dominique Williams, WR, Garey - Washington State

Aside from Devon Blackmon, the Summit High School receiver who signed with Oregon Wednesday morning, USC and UCLA took their time making inroads to the Inland Valley.
USC waited until precisely 6:15 a.m. Wednesday, UCLA three days before national signing day.

When Chino head football coach Matt McCain fielded a call from USC head coach Lane Kiffin early this morning it only added to the burden on Quinton Pedroza's mind. After his first and only season of high school football, the senior receiver/safety who had just spent the last three weeks mulling over offers from Utah and Arizona State had one more school to ponder when USC offered him two and a half hours before Chino's 10:30 a.m. signing ceremony Wednesday.

"I think he was already overwhelmed," McCain said. "It was a lot of stress when they came on board and I think it was just too late. thought it was a big deal but it didn't have the effect on him I thought it would. You had Utah waiting for their letter of intent and he was racing against the clock."

Pedroza, who committed to Arizona State Jan. 8 before Utah offered him a scholarship Jan. 11, had already donemore thinking than he ever bargained for. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound senoir signed with Utah, at 10:30.

On the eve of National Signing Day, here is a list of football players in the Daily Bulletin coverage area and the schools with which they are expected to sign on Wednesday.

Promise Amadi, Chino, WR - Hawaii
Devon Blackmon, Summit, WR - Oregon
Allen Brown, San Dimas, OT - Fresno State
Desman Carter, DB, Kaiser - Nevada
Jacoby Carter, Diamond Ranch, CB - Sacramento State (FCS)
Joseph Carter, DE, Chaffey College - Nebraska
Walter Earnest, DE, Kaiser - UC Davis (FCS)
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Chino Hills, DB - Oregon
Nate Harris, Chino Hills, RB/CB - Montana
Dallas Kelley, LB, Chaffey College - USC
Daniel Kessler, Claremont, QB - Utah (preferred walk-on)
Marcus Mason, Etiwanda, RB - Washington State
Quinton Pedroza, Chino, WR/DB - Arizona State
Paul Pitts, Los Osos, WR - San Diego State
Jamal Prater, Etiwanda, OT - Oregon
Chase Price, Diamond Ranch, RB - San Diego State
Greg Sherwood, Los Osos, LB - Nebraska at Kearney (Division II)
Christian Solis, Western Christian, WR - Malone University (Division II)
Dennis Taylor, LB, Kaiser - Portland State (FCS)
Andrew Tibbs, OL/DL,Colony - Bemidji State (Division II)
Brandon Tuliaupupu, Claremont, DT - UCLA
Jake Van Ginkel, Upland, K - Boise State
Dominique Williams, Garey, WR - Washington State

Claremont's Brandon Tuliaupupu made a late change of plans, accepting a late offer from UCLA on Monday after having made a verbal commitment to Washington State on January 16, according to Claremont head coach Mike Collins. The 6-foot-3, 295-pound defensive tackle had 63 tackles and four sacks in helping Claremont to a second-place finish in the Sierra League this season. Rivals.com rates the three-star senior the No. 52 defensive tackle in the country and the No. 98 player in California.

Etiwanda cornerback Courtland Fort was offered his first scholarship Monday morning by Army and will visit the campus in West Point, NY this weekend, according to Etiwanda head coach Steve Bryce. The 6-foot, 178-pound senior, who is only 16 years old, had 47 tackles and a pair of interceptions for the Eagles this season. After Bryce sent one final wave of e-mails on Fort's behalf last week, Army responded by visiting the Etiwanda campus, viewing Fort's game film and eventually offering him two days before national signing day.

"A lot of colleges were hemming and hawing and I was afraid Cortland had missed the recruiting boat," Bryce said. "I just had such high expectations for him that I was getting a little worried and I think he was too."

With four days remaining before National Signing Day, here is a list of football players in the Daily Bulletin coverage area and the schools with which they are expected to sign on Wednesday.

Promise Amadi, Chino, WR - Hawaii
Devon Blackmon, Summit, WR - Oregon
Allen Brown, San Dimas, OT - Fresno State
Jacoby Carter, Diamond Ranch, CB - Sacramento State (FCS)
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Chino Hills, DB - Oregon
Nate Harris, Chino Hills, RB/CB - Montana
Daniel Kessler, Claremont, QB - Utah (preferred walk-on)
Marcus Mason, Etiwanda, RB - Washington State
Quinton Pedroza, Chino, WR/DB - Arizona State
Paul Pitts, Los Osos, WR - San Diego State
Jamal Prater, Etiwanda, OT - Oregon
Chase Price, Diamond Ranch, RB - San Diego State
Greg Sherwood, Los Osos, LB - Nebraska at Kearney (Division II)
Christian Solis, Western Christian, WR - Malone University (Division II)
Brandon Tuliaupupu, Claremont, DT - Washington State
Jake Van Ginkel, Upland, K - Boise State
Dominique Williams, Garey, WR - Washington State

Chino wide receiver/safety Quinton Pedroza, who verbally committed to Arizona State Jan. 8, took an official visit last weekend to Utah, which offered him a scholarship three days after his commitment to Arizona State. Pedroza will visit Arizona State this coming weekend but he may soon have another school to consider.

USC has expressed interest in the 6-foot-3, 195-pound senior, going so far as to request Pedroza's transcripts today, according to Chino head football coach Matt McCain. USC is interested in Pedroza as a safety, where he collected 67 tackles and four interceptions in the fall during his first and only season of high school football. ASU is open to him playing receiver, where he had 54 receptions for 1,078 yards and 16 TDs.

"It could be that he'll visit Arizona State this weekend and that'll be the end of it," McCain said. "But you never know what a kid is going to say when somebody like USC gets involved."

Promise Amadi verbally committed to the University of Hawaii during his trip to Manoa, Hawaii this past weekend, according to Chino head coach Matt McCain. The 6-foot, 180-pound senior issued a verbal commitment to New Mexico State during his visit to Las Cruces N.M., the weekend previous to his official visit to Hawaii.

"What happed was the coaches (at New Mexico State) told him it was okay if he just wanted to give them a soft commitment," McCain said. "So he said OK."

Amadi, who also had offers from Montana and Sacramento State, was also receiving interest from Arizona State as of Thursday. ASU is recruiting Amadi as a cornerback but Hawaii will allow him to play his preferred position of receiver.

"He said he had a great time in Hawaii and that's where he wants to go," McCain said. "He really enjoyed the coaches and they said he'd have a good chance to start as a freshman."

San Dimas offensive tackle Allen Brown committed to Fresno State last weekend during his official visit to Fresno. The 6-foot-4, 272-pound senior also had scholarship offers from UNLV, Colorado State, Montana State and San Jose State. Brown, a first-team All-Valley offensive lineman, helped San Dimas to 407 yards per game. He won a CIF title with the Saints in 2010 and helped the team to the semifinals this season.

Just last weekend, Etiwanda running back Marcus Mason was hoping to impress enough in an all-star game to convince New Mexico State to finally offer him a scholarship. On Thursday he suddenly had a Pac-10 offer on the table. After receiving Mason's highlight tape from Etiwanda coach Steve Bryce, Washington State issued Mason his first scholarship offer this afternoon.

The Masons will host a home visit for Washington State Monday before taking a recruiting trip to Pullman, Wash. next weekend. Mason, who rushed for 1,623 yards and 15 touchdowns in his lone full season on the offensive side of the ball, received serious interest from only FCS schools Sacramento State and Weber State in addition to New Mexico State prior to Thursday.

"About a week and a half ago I sent out his game tape with his transcripts and all his information," Bryce said. "Since then, a lot of different schools have called on him. He played so well and got so many yards in this one year and now he's finally getting the attention he deserves."

After his first and only year of high school football, Chino wide receiver/safety Quinton Pedroza verbally committed to Arizona State Saturday after a late flurry of scholarship offers. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound senior, who previously focused his efforts on baseball, received the offer from Utah two days after committing to Arizona State.

"I'm gonna have to look into both (schools) a little further," Pedroza said. "This whole thing is a blessing. I wasn't too sure it would go this way after one season but it's been a shock. It's all still surreal."

Though he prefers receiver, it hasn't been determined if Pedroza will play offense or defense in college after a senior season consisting of 54 receptions for 1,078 yards and 19 total touchdowns in addition to 67 tackles and four interceptions as a free safety. The decision was initially between Utah State and Arizona State, but after committing to the Sun Devils on Saturday, Utah offered him on Tuesday.

Upland place kicker Jake Van Ginkel verbally committed to Boise State Wednesday morning after the Broncos offered him his first scholarship Tuesday evening. Van Ginkel, who kicked a career-long field goal of 58 yards as an Upland freshman, connected on 15 of 20 field goals this season with a long of 50 yards.

He will step into some high profile shoes, seeing as Boise State senior kicker Kyle Brotzman missed two chip-shot field goals that cost the Broncos their only loss of the 2010 season, a 34-31 overtime defeat to Nevada.

"They needed a better kicker," Van Ginkel said. "They told me I'll be the guy next year."

Though Van Ginkel has displayed great accuracy and incredible range since he arrived at Upland -- his strong leg also translated to kickoffs as 47 of his 65 went for touchbacks this season -- he was grateful to finally receive not only a scholarship offer, but one from a program that has finished in the Associated Press top 10 three of the last five seasons.

"It's a big weight off my shoulders," Van Ginkel said. "Being a kicker, we're the last ones to get recruited so there's a lot of waiting and a lot of guessing. I thought about it over night but I think I already knew because I had been thinking about for weeks."

The several-year long courtship of Devon Blackmon came to an end Wednesday night on ESPN when the Summit High School senior receiver announced his verbal commitment to Oregon during the Under Armour All-American game. After Blackmon, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound four-star recruit, hauled in a 58-yard pass for the first touchdown of the all-star game in St. Petersburg, Fla., he pulled on a green Oregon cap during a sideline interview, choosing the Ducks over USC and UCLA.

"When I went there for my trip it felt like a family," Blackmon told ESPN. "I knew (Oregon receivers coach) Scott Frost would take care of me."

Blackmon, who received too many scholarship offers to count beginning with a blazing summer on the camp circuit after his sophomore year, was also considering Florida, Alabama, Cal and Miami entering his final high school season. The only official recruiting trip for Rivals.com's No. 6 athlete in the country was a Nov. 5 visit to Eugene, Ore.

Garey wide receiver Dominique Williams has not verbally committed to Washington State as reported by rivals.com and scout.com, according to Garey head football coach Leonard Hudson. The 6-foot-4 senior is strongly considering Washington State after his initial recruiting trip to Pullman Wash., in early October but Utah and Fresno State are also high on his list, according to Hudson.

"Those three are the ones we talked about a few days ago," Husdon said. "Nebraska came in but I don't know if he wants to go there. There are some other Big 12 schools he's interested in and some Pac-10s too so he's playing the waiting game a little bit."

Williams was hampered the last half of the season by a an strained plantar fascia, a tendon that runs under the ball of his foot, but still managed 18 touchdowns in leading Garey to its first playoff appearance in 10 years. After a junior season in which he had 45 receptions for 1,213 yards and 10 touchdowns, Williams began pulling in enough scholarship offers that Hudson has lost count.

Chino Hills' highly recruited defensive back Ifo Ekpre-Olomu verbally committed to Oregon this morning, he confirmed after the Huskies won their playoff opener 70-42 over Corona Friday night. The 5-foot-10 180-pound senior chose Oregon among scholarship offers from most of the Pac-10 save UCLA and USC, according to scout.com.

Ekpre-Olomu plays a variety of positions for Chino Hills, including wide receiver and running back but he set a school record with eight interceptions as a sophomore playing safety. Oregon plans to use him in the secondary, according to Ekpre-Olomu.

Diamond Ranch senior-to-be Rouric Bridgewater has verbally committed to Arizona State, who offered him a full scholarship on July 20. The third baseman chose the Sun Devils over offers from USC, UCLA, Oregon, Loyola Marymount, San Diego State and Costal Carolina, which was his second choice, according to his father Steve Bridgewater.

Bridgewater, a first-team All-Valley and first-team all-CIF selection as a junior, batted .580 with 10 home runs and 41 RBIs in just 26 games last season.

After he was released form his letter of intent with UCLA following a June 23 arrest on suspicion of theft, Kaiser graduate Josh Shirley decided Thursday he will begin his college career at Washington, the school's Web site reported.

Shirley and two other incoming freshmen who were denied admission to UCLA are facing felony-theft charges that could be lessened to a misdemeanor after the three reportedly stole a purse. UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel left open a window for the three players to return to UCLA for the winter quarter but that is obviously no longer an option for Shirley, who reached a financial aid agreement with Washington.

"We are very aware of the circumstances surrounding Josh," Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian told GoHuskies.com. "We have done our due diligence and truly feel that this is not indicative of his true character or the way that he was raised."

Washington was one of the final schools Shirley was considering when rivals.com's No. 9 outside linebacker in the country chose UCLA over Miami, Arizona and USC in a signing day surprise. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Shirley was selected to the U.S. Army All-American game after a senior season in which he was named the CIF co-defensive player of the year in the Eastern Division.

Ashley Cooke, the CIF-SS Masters meet 300-meter hurdle champion, signed a letter of intent with Cal two weeks ago. Cooke graduated from Colony this year and will begin classes at Berkley in the fall. She ran the 300 hurdles in 42.65 seconds at Masters to outlast hurdlers including eventual state champion Kori Carter of Claremont. Cooke just missed a spot on the podium at the CIF State meet, finishing fourth in the event in a time of 42.01 seconds, .01 seconds behind the third-place finisher.

Devon Blackmon thought last summer was intense. Until this summer.

The Summit High School quarterback with too many scholarship offers to keep track of - his estimate was 50, but it added a little perspective when he recalled that just yesterday he discovered an offer from Harvard rifling through a box of letters - has reduced his potential destinations to six: Alabama, Florida, Cal, Oregon, UCLA and USC.

"USC is temporary," Blackmon said. "But those other five are solid. I might add one or drop one if the right offer comes in. It was time to say 'Thanks, but no thanks' to some of the coaches offering me."

Since college coaches have been allowed to visit Summit (58 different schools have dropped by so far) and call Blackmon beginning June 1, the pursuit of Rivals.com's No. 5 player in the country has risen to a new level of intensity, one that was written all over the 6-foot-1, 180-pound senior-to-be's face. Blackmon is the No. 41 player in the nation, according to rivals.com and rated the country's fifth-best receiver, the position at which most are recruiting him.

"In all my years coaching I've never seen a player get this kind of attention," Summit coach Tony Barile said. "I don't think he'll get the entire scope of this until he can look back on it 10 or 15 years later."

It won't be more than a "partial commitment" until his unofficial visit to the University of Oregon next weekend, but Etiwanda offensive tackle Jamal Prater issued something of a verbal pledge to the Ducks on June 26.

"Right now it's sort of a partial thing," said the 6-foot-4, 290-pound Prater. "I don't want to commit to them blindly. I just want to get up there and see the campus and everything."

The 16-year-old rising senior also has scholarship offers from Oregon State, Washington State, San Diego State and San Jose State. Prater is 61st rated tackle in the country by scout.com and the 74th-ranked player in California by rivals.com. The soft committment seems to be of mutual benefit to Prater and the Oregon coaching staff who has been expressing interest since Prater's sophomore season.

"They want to avoid a guy giving a verbal (commitment) and not really loving the place," Etiwanda coach Steve Bryce said. "He has commmitted to them but it's a tentative commit because they want him to see the place to avoid him backing out."

Chino Hills defensive back Ifo Ekpre-Olomu has already had a productive summer as the 5-foot-10, 180-pound reigning Sierra League MVP heads into his senior season. Rivals.com's 11th-rated cornerback in the country has been to four high-profile camps - USC, UCLA, Nike (at USC) and Rising Stars (at USC) - since the summer began but his spring may have been even more fruitful.

Following an all-CIF junior season that began at safety (where he nabbed a school-record 8 interceptions as a sophomore), included a full-time job as the Huskies leading wide receiver and ended with a heavy load at running back in the playoffs, Ekpre-Olomu was offered 11 scholarships in the spring. Of the 150 schools Huskies head coach Derek Bub said have visited since last season, there are parties recruiting Ekpre-Olomu at all of the above positions and cornerback... his offers are as follows:

Before they are even high school seniors they may be old hat. The high school football class of 2011 is in the early stages of the steep climb to its zenith in the internet college recruiting sphere but most collegiate coaches in pursuit are honing in on the class of 2012.

The majority of the scouting has been done prior to one's senior season, according to recruiting analyst Randy Taylor of the National Collegiate Scouting Association. All that's left are details like, say, issuing their remaining coveted scholarship offers and waiting with bated breath as rabid fan bases anticipate who will tilt the landscape of college football in February with their school selections.

"I've already got a couple of players on my list for the class of 2015," said Taylor, a former college football coach who was most recently the director of football operations for UCLA and Minnesota. "The coaches are done with the class of 2011 except for maybe looking at a few sleepers. The class of 2012 is the one up for evaluation now."

UCLA beat writer John Gold of our Los Angeles Newspaper group reported in this blog post that Josh Shirley was one of three incoming UCLA freshmen dismissed from the football team today after the three were arrested Wednesday on suspicion of felony theft.

Shirley, who rivals.com rated the 9th best outside linebacker in the country coming out of Kaiser High School last year, was expected to compete for playing time this season while the other two players dismissed - Gardena Serra wide receiver Paul Richardson and Los Alamitos cornerback Shaquille Richardson - were expected to redshirt this coming season.

"The three young men know they made a terrible mistake," UCLA football coach Rick Neuheisel said in a release. "We expect our players to behave a certain way and there are consequences when they don't. Paul, Shaquille and Josh are paying a steep price for their lapse in judgment. They will not be allowed to enroll in school this fall and will not have the opportunity to begin their UCLA academic and athletic careers.

"Whether they are allowed to enroll for Winter Quarter will be determined at a later date. That decision will be based on several factors, including their behavior."

Summit High School's Devon Blackmon, who has played a variety of positions for the SkyHawks including wide receiver and quarterback, is rated the 39th best recruit in the nation, according to ESPN's 150.

The 6-foot, 175-pound senior-to-be is rated the fifth-best athlete in the country and 41st player overall by rivals.com. Scout.com, which classifies him as a wide receiver, ranks him the 31st nationally at the position.

Blackmon has scholarship offers from:

Etiwanda offensive tackle Jamal Prater was offered a scholarship by Oregon on Wednesday, the third offer collected by the senior-to-be, according to Etiwanda coach Steve Bryce. In February, Washington State made the 6-foot-5, 295-pound offensive lineman his first offer before San Diego State offered him last month. The three-star tackle is rated the 46th-best at his position in the country by rivals.com.

After Kendall Williams and UCLA mutually agreed to end the Los Osos point guard's two-year commitment this summer, Williams has found a new college basketball destination. The 6-foot-3 senior verbally committed to New Mexico on Monday after considering offers from Clemson and Florida. Other schools who showed late interest were Georgetown, Iowa and Colorado.

"I feels good to be re-locked up," Williams said. "I think (de-committing from UCLA) was behind me the week after it happened. It was actually pretty fun to play this season not committed to anyone. Luckily some schools were interested in me and I ended up in an even better situation for me."

Williams was famously the second-ever sophomore to which Duke issued a scholarship offer after Florida coach Billy Donovan set off a recruiting frenzy by offering Williams at a 2007 summer camp to which the rising sophomore wasn't even fornmally invited.

Ontario Christian High School's Andrew Lachelt, who played a variety of positions for the Knights, has accepted an offer from the University of Oklahoma to be a preferred walk-on as a wide receiver, according to his father, Brent Lachelt.

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Lachelt suffered a multitude of injuries during his high school career, beginning with shoulder problems that forced him from his original position of quarterback. After surgery to repair a torn ACL last year, Lachelt had his best season as a senior. The Christian League offensive MVP earned all-CIF honors as the Knights' leading passer and second-leading rusher (by a mere 24 yards). Playing the position he'll man at Oklahoma, he had 12 receptions for 199 yards and three touchdowns for Ontario Christian, which reached the CIF championship game.

Etiwanda junior offensive tackle Jamal Prater was offered a scholarship by Washington State on Monday, according to Etiwanda head football coach Steve Bryce. This could be the first of many offers for the 6-foot-5, 295-pound right tackle seeing as every Pac-10 school except Arizona has already been in contact with him.

In fact, Washington State has been interested since assistant coach Malik Roberson, at Etiwanda to finalize the commitment of Eagles senior receiver Bobby Ratliff in November, couldn't help but notice Prater in the weight room.

"Coach Roberson just happened to be talking to Bobby over in the area where the offensive linemen were working out," Bryce said. "And Jamal was doing plyometric jumps onto a 38-inch box and I saw coach Roberson do a double take when this 6-5, 285-pound kid was jumping up onto these boxes like they were nothing."

Roberson immediately asked for some game film of Prater and called Bryce the next day in search of his transcripts. Prater's 3.4 grade-point average will only increase his options.

It's never too early to talk about next football season. Here the top 20 college prospects in the area according to James Escarcega of SGV IE Football Scouting. They include players from Summit, Chino Hills, Pomona, Garey, Etiwanda and Claremont.

• Having not received his Fresno State sweatshirt by Wednesday's signing ceremony, Los Osos High School cornerback Sean Alston borrowed a Bulldogs sweatshirt from a fellow Fresno signee who conveniently attend a school less than a mile from his. Greg Watson, quarterback of rival Rancho Cucamonga, invited Alston to his house to pick up a sweatshirt..."Once enemies," Alston said, "now teammates." The sweatshirt may not have been the coolest peice of Fresno State paraphernalia on Alston's person Wednesday. The Los Osos senior was wearing a cotton replica of an old school facemask-less Fresno State footbal helmet... if those things don't catch on soon, I'll be shocked.
• Richard Bell, the father of Colony cornerback Jered Bell, made a deal before his son signed with Colorado on Wednesday. A wing back at Nebraska from 1985-90, Richard agreed to brand himself a Colorado fan for as long as Jered wears the black and gold. "As soon as he graduates," Richard said, "I'm back to Nebraska."
• Colony running back Jamil Austin, who after a 2,000-yard season signed with Portland State of the FCS (formerly Division I-AA), was offered an official visit to Washington State by the coaching staff a week before national signing day. He refused, staunchly unwilling to go back on his verbal commitment to Portland State, displaying an attitude that has all but disappeared in the back-stabbing mayhem that has become college recruiting.

National signing day was a long time coming for Jake Hernandez, who has been verbally committed to play baseball at USC for nearly as long as he has been attending Los Osos High School.

Despite finally following through on the verbal commitment the catcher made as a freshman by inking his name on a letter of intent Wednesday, in an ironic twist the senior may not play at USC, depending on where he is selected in the June Major League Baseball first-year player draft.

That didn't make signing his name on Wednesday any less sweet.

"USC has always been my dream school," Hernandez said. "It was an unbelievable feeling to actually sign and make it real."

Kori Carter validated Stanford's interest with three state championships. And counting.

On Wednesday the Claremont High School hurdler gave Stanford her stamp of validation by signing a national letter of intent to join the Cardinal. The senior, whose decision came down to scholarship offers from Stanford and USC, is looking forward to more than just track when she arrives in Palo Alto.

"It really wasn't a tough decision," Carter said. "Yeah I had others recruiting me but Stanford can develop me academically and athletically. So, I kind of got the best of both worlds."

Carter, the two-time defending 300-meter intermediate hurdling state champion and defending 100-meter high hurdling state champ, will run both events in college. She passed Stanford's rigirous acceptance process last summer, shortly after which she verbally committed to the school that has shown interest in her since she was a freshman.

"Track is such a big part of my life, one of my biggest passions," Carter said. "For it to get me to college is amazing."

Local football players who signed letters of intent today:
Sean Alston, Los Osos, CB -- Fresno State
Eric Alt, OL/DL, Colony -- New Mexico Highlands (Division II)
Kennan Anderson, FB/LB, Pomona -- New Mexico Highlands (Division II)
Jamil Austin, RB, Colony -- Portland State (FCS)
Jered Bell, DB, Colony -- Colorado
Gary Berwick, OL, Rancho Cucamonga -- San Diego (FCS)
Steven Bethley, DB, Don Lugo -- Montana State (FCS)
Anthony Brown, RB/DB, Kaiser -- USC
Dreon Brown, RB/DB, Colony -- New Mexico Highlands (Division II)
David Dash, RB, Miller -- Montana State (FCS)
Bo Dauser, OL, Colony -- New Mexico Highlands (Division II)
Ronald Douglas, RB, Chaffey -- Sacramento State (FCS)
Brandon Flannigan, WR, Colony -- Holy Cross (FCS)
Manase Foketi, OL, Mt. SAC (Sultana) -- Kansas State
Ricky Howard, TE, Chaffey College (Hesperia) -- Iowa State
Deron Jefferson, Pomona, OT -- University of Texas at El Paso
Britt Johnson, OL/DL -- New Mexico Highlands (Division II)
Darrian Lewis, Pomona, DB -- Eastern Michigan
Nick Martin, OL, Los Osos -- University of Texas at El Paso
Kenny Mitchell, WR, Etiwanda -- Humbolt State (Division II)
Austin Miley, DT, Etiwanda -- Jamestown College (NAIA)
Gabriel Munoz, LB, Colony -- New Mexico Highlands (Division II)
State Bobby Ratliff, WR, Etiwanda -- Washington State
Marvin Rice, DT, Colony -- New Mexico Highlands (Division II)
Ricky Rocco, LB, Colony -- Northern Arizona (FCS)
Angel Santiago, QB, Etiwanda -- Army
Kenneth Scott, WR, Colony -- Utah
Josh Shirley, LB, Kaiser -- UCLA
Corey Sims, DB, Upland -- Sacramento State (FCS)
B.J. Sonboli, Los Osos, OL -- Drake (FCS)
Randall Telfer, TE, Rancho Cucamonga -- USC
Nick Tito, LB, Etiwanda -- Humbolt State (Division II)
Edward Todd, LB, Colony -- New Mexico Highlands (Division II)
Greg Todd, LB, Colony -- New Mexico Highlands (Division II)
Tama Tuai, DE, Colony -- Kentucky State
Taylor Tuliaupupu, LB, Claremont -- Montana (FCS)
George Uko, DL, Don Lugo -- USC
Tony Washington, DL, Los Osos -- Oregon
Jacob Wass, Webb, DE -- UC Davis (FCS)
Greg Watson, QB, Rancho Cucamonga -- Fresno State

Chaffey High School running back Ronald Douglas, whose 2,671 yards, were the third-most in the state when his season ended in the quarterfinals of the CIF playoffs, has verbally committed to Sacramento State of the FCS, formerly Division I-AA. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound senior, who averaged eight yards a carry and scored 24 TDs this season, also had scholarship offers from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and San Jose State.

Gary Berwick, a three-year starter at center for Rancho Cucamonga High School, has verbally committed to the University of San Digeo, also of the FCS. The 6-foot, 235-pounder was the quarterback of the offensive line that helped lead the Cougars to an undefeated 2008 season and the CIF-SS Central Division championship.

Sean Alston, Los Osos, CB - Fresno State
Kennan Anderson, FB/LB, Pomona - New Mexico Highlands (Division II)
Jamil Austin, Colony, RB - Portland State (FCS)
Jered Bell, Colony, CB - Colorado
Anthony Brown, Kaiser, CB - USC
Deron Jefferson, Pomona, OT - University of Texas at El Paso
Darrian Lewis, Pomona, DB - Eastern Michigan
Bobby Ratiff, Etiwanda, WR - Washington State
Angel Santiago, Etiwanda, QB - Army
Kenneth Scott, Colony, WR - Utah
Corey Sims, Upland, CB - Sacramento State (FCS)
B.J. Sonboli, Los Osos, OL - Drake (FCS)
Randall Telfer, Rancho Cucamonga, TE - USC
George Uko, Don Lugo, DT - USC
Tony Washington, Los Osos, DE - Oregon
Jacob Wass, Webb, DE - UC Davis (FCS)
Greg Watson, Rancho Cucamonga, QB - Fresno State

If I'm missing anybody who has already committed, please let me know.

Spoke with Rancho Cucamonga quarterback Greg Watson today after the senior's verbal commitment to Fresno State on Saturday... the Bulldogs, who traditionally run a pro-style offense, informed Watson they will install a spread offense package for him as early as next season.

The other three quarterbacks that will be on next season's Fresno State roster - starter and rising senior Ryan Colburn (2,400 yards, 19 TD, 11 int), a rising sophomore and another incoming freshman - are all pro-style quarterbacks.

"(Head) coach (Pat) Hill is going to teach me how to play quarterback in a pro-style offense but they're going to put in a spread offense for me as a freshman," Watson said.

Whether Watson will be available to run that offense next season depends on how much he can learn between now and then.

"If I can learn enough by the first game, I can play and not redshirt," Watson said. "So, as of right now it's up to my brain. I can't wait to get up there and soak it all up like a sponge."

Apparently Rancho Cucamonga High School quarterback Greg Watson's trip to Fresno State this weekend went well. The senior verbally committed to the Bulldogs today, according to Rancho Cucamonga head coach Nick Baiz.

Fresno State was recruiting the 6-foot, 180-pounder as a quarterback as opposed to Oregon, which offered Watson as a defensive back last winter before pulling the offer shortly thereafter upon receiving commitment from another DB.

Upland High School All-CIF cornerback Corey Sims verbally committed to Sacramento State of the FCS, formerly Division I-AA, on Monday, according to Upland assistant coach Mike Esquivel. Sims led the Highlanders with five interceptions and six pass break-ups on a defense that carried Upland to a CIF championship allowing less than 11 points per game.

The 5-foot-11, 182-pound speedster was the top vote-getter among All-CIF-SS Central Division defensive backs. He made 40 tackles and played a fair amount of running back for Upland, averaging over 10 yards per carry. Sims ran for 245 yards and four TDs as a senior and caught three passes for 74 yards.

When Redlands East Valley quarterback Tyler Shreve committed to Utah earlier this week, he cancelled his visit to Fresno State scheduled for this weekend. The next quarterback on Fresno State's list, according to director of the SGV/IE Scouting Service James Escarcega, is Rancho Cucamonga dual-threat quarterback Greg Watson.

Watson will visit Fresno State this weekend.... and they are recruiting the 6-foot, 180-pound senior who runs a 4.55-second 40, as a quarterback, according to Rancho Cucamonga head coach Nick Baiz. Oregon offered Watson as a defensive back last winter, but the offer was eventually pulled when Oregon received a verbal commitment from another DB while Watson held out for an offer to play quarterback. The 2008 CIF-SS Central Division MVP may soon have his wish granted.

I think Watson has the tools to play quarterback at the Division-I level, particularly in a spread offense. He's got the arm, the mobility, the speed... the only thing he's lacking is a couple of inches and he's only 16 years old, so he could easily hit another growth spurt.

"In every recruit's mind, when you hear of a coaching change the first thing that comes to mind is de-commitment," said Rancho Cucamonga High School tight end Randall Telfer, who has been verbally committed to USC since April 2. "But I committed to USC, not Pete Carroll."

In other words, the 6-foot-4, 230-pound senior will honor his verbal commitment to the Trojans despite the departure of coach Pete Carroll to Seattle and arrival of Lane Kiffin from a brief stay at Tennessee. In fact, around this time last year, Kiffin was trying to lure Telfer to Tennessee.

During that 48-hour period after Carroll left for the NFL, Telfer admittedly didn't feel terribly comfortable.

"We talked about some other options if they hired someone he wasn't comfortable with," Rancho Cucamonga head coach Nick Baiz said. "But it really never had time to progress."

Kiffin's hire plus the new coach's decision to retain the coach that recruited Telfer, tight ends coach Brennen Carroll (Pete's son), erased most of the doubt. A few conversations with fellow USC committed players who intended to honor their pledges erased the rest.

"It would be difficult to just up and leave right now," Telfer said. "I've been with USC a long time and no matter what's happening with the football program, it's always going to be a good school."

Webb High School's Jacob Waas, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound senior, has verbally committed to play football at UC Davis. Waas was an All-CIF running back for Webb this season but will play exclusively defensive end for UC Davis, whose football team competes in the FCS, formerly known as Division I-AA.

Waas, a first team All-Prep League selection in 2008 and 2009, chose UC Davis among scholarship offers from Dartmouth, Johns Hopkins and the University of San Diego.

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound senior received offers from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to play cornerback and Division I-AA Idaho State to play wide receiver. With the option to remain a quarterback at a Division-I program, Santiago said the decision was not a difficult one.

"I know that I'm not your protypical 6-2, 6-3 quarterback," he said. "But I knew somebody that runs the spread or the triple option would give me a shot."

When prospective colleges call to inquire about Etiwanda High School's 5-foot-10 quarterback, Eagles head coach Steve Bryce makes sure to slip the name Jeremiah Masoli into each conversation.

"Same height," Bryce said. "Of course Masoli is 220 pounds and Angel is about 185."

Despite the weight disparity between the Oregon QB and his own, Santiago's efforts have landed him scholarship offers from Army, Idaho State and Cal Poly SLO with an offer from Northwestern potentially coming soon. Idaho State, in the process of a conversion to the same spread offense in which Santiago piled up 9,500 yards and 65 TDs as a three-year starter at Etiwanda, wants him to play quarterback. Army is offering him as an athlete.

I haven't spoken to Santiago lately but I can't imagine him passing up an offer to play quarterback in college. I was afraid he wouldn't get a single offer to play QB and if scouts were afraid of offering him at a positon they'd never seen him play, that could have left a great, great high school player out in the cold. Now Santiago is not only going to play college football, but he has options.

As some suspected, the scholarship offer Don Lugo defensive tackle George Uko received in June from USC was probably the only one he ever needed. The five-star recruit, rated the second-best DT in the country by scout.com, indeed committed to the Trojans on Christmas Day with offers standing from Oregon, LSU, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Cal, UCLA, Miami and many more.

"(USC) was in the lead from the beginning," said Uko, the most highly recruited player in the Inland Valley. "I grew up watching 'SC and I knew it was a good school. As a freshman I didn't think I could get there. But when I knew I could, that's where I wanted to go."

The decision came down to four schools: UCLA, Cal, Oregon and USC. It was Oregon, Uko said, he thought the most about before finally commiting to the Trojans.

Don Lugo High School all-everything defensive tackle George Uko verbally committed to USC on Dec. 25, according to rivals.com and scout.com. I've got a meeting set up with Uko on Wednesday to confirm his committment.

The 6-foot-4, 295-pound senior chose the Trojans from a top five of USC, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Miami and LSU. The five-star defensive tackle, according to scout.com, had copious other offers from schools around the country, including Cal and Oregon.

Uko, who played in the Under Armor All-America game on Saturday, had 88 tackles and 15 sacks this season.

Don Lugo High School's George Uko is still receiving scholarship offers from "everybody in the country, you name it, except the Big Ten," according to Don Lugo head coach Rick Martin. Miami extended the most recent offer to the 6-foot-4, 295-pound senior rated the third-best defensive tackle in the nation by scout.com, when coach Randy Shannon was on the Don Lugo campus last week.

Uko's current top five are: USC, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Miami and LSU.

Prior to the season, the most heavily recruited player in the Inland Valley included Oregon and Cal in his top five along with USC, Tennessee and Oklahoma. After collecting 88 tackles and 15 sacks this season, Uko will play in the Under Armor All-America game on Jan. 2.

Steam is picking up in the recruiting of Uko's teammate, running back/safety Steven Bethley. The 6-foot, 200-pound senior added an offer from San Jose State to ones from San Diego State and Colorado State before the season. After Bethley rushed for 1,143 yards and 15 touchdowns, had six interceptions and returned three punts for scores this season, he was offered by Army on Wednesday and is receiving increased interest from Washington.

"Washington is serious about Steven," Martin said. "They're making a late run at him and Arizona State has also called. Now is the time when Steven is going to get most his attention because a lot of these schools have found out more about their commitments."

Kendall Williams, the Los Osos High School senior point guard who de-committed from UCLA this summer - it was a mutual decision according to Williams and UCLA coach Ben Howland - is currently considering three offers: Marquette, Baylor and Long Beach State. This according to Los Osos baskeball coach Dave Smith, who said Williams decided to wait until the late signing period (April 14) to make his decision.

Williams committed to UCLA prior to his sophomore season at Los Osos but it's interesting how things have changed. After a phenomenal showing at a University of Florida camp the summer after his freshman year, fresh of back-to-back national titles, Florida coach Billy Donovan set off a recruiting frenzy by offering Williams. Prior to his sophomore season, Williams had a short list of Duke, UCLA, Washington, Arizona and Florida.

I don't think the 6-foot-3 Williams has filled out like the college scouts thought he would, but when he does he's going to make some coach very happy. He's as competitive as they come and a phenomenal all-around talent.

Leave a comment. Ask a question. Or e-mail me at clay.fowler@inlandnewspapers.com

Colony cornerback Jered Bell verbally committed to Colorado this week after paying a visit to the campus in Boulder, Colo., on Nov. 6, according to Colony head football coach Anthony Rice.

The 6-foot, 179-pound senior is the 63rd ranked cornerback in the country by rivals.com and the 99th-ranked player in the state of California. Bell was drawing interest from Colorado State, among others, but Colorado was his only scholarship offer.

Leave a comment. Ask a question. Or e-mail me at clay.fowler@inlandnewspapers.com

With the early signing period beginning today, here is a list of athletes and the schools with which they are expected to sign.

BASEBALL
Scott Frazier, Upland, Pepperdine
Derek Goodwin, Diamond Ranch, Sacramento State
Jack Heildman, Claremont, San Diego
Jake Hernandez, Los Osos, USC
Austin Reed, Rancho Cucamonga, San Diego State
Ernesto Zaragosa, Kaiser, San Diego State

BASKETBALL
Jasmine Bernard, Etiwanda, UC-Irvine
Derek Brown, Chino Hills, San Jose State
Janelle Kearney, Diamond Ranch, Boise State
Maiya Michel, Summit, Denver
Ericka Norman, Chino Hills, Sacred Heart
J.J. O'Brien, Alta Loma, Utah
Adrianne Thomas, Summit, Arizona State
Chloe Wells, Miller, Duke

GYMNASTICS
Jordan Williams, Los Osos, Arizona

SOFTBALL
Samantha Dodd, Miller, DePaul
Sarah Free, Claremont, Holy Cross
Jessica Garcia, Redlands, San Jose State
Stevie Goldstein, Aquinas, Loyola Marymount
Jessica Hall, Ayala, UCLA
Erin Jones-Wesley, Los Osos, Long Beach State
Whitney Jones, Upland, Washington
Alyssia Palomino, Kaiser, Auburn
Natalee Pulver, Etiwanda, Marshall
Sydney Stewart, Diamond Ranch, UNLV
Talee Snow, Chino Hills, UCLA

Leave a comment. Ask a question. Or e-mail me at clay.fowler@inlandnewspapers.com

Tony Washington chose Oregon of his 12 scholarship offers, issuing a verbal commitment to the Ducks on Sunday, according to Los Osos head coach Tom Martinez. The 6-5, 225-pound defendive end was scheduled to visit Oregon State Nov. 14, but decided to go ahead and narrow his top four - Oregon, Arizona, UTEP and Oregon State - to one.

The 49th-ranked weakside defensive end in the country, according to rivals.com, has 4.5 sacks and 51 tackles, eight for loss, this season. His other scholarship offers included Arizona State, Hawaii, Nevada, Colorado State, San Diego State, New Mexico State and Idaho.

Washington, who runs a 4.7-second 40 and has a 40-inch vertical, gained about 25 pounds in the offseason but it is apparent he has a frame that can hold considerable more weight. He is 225 pounds but still looks like a skinny kid.

Here is a story I wrote last week about Washington, who is coping with the sudden death of his father eight days before this season began.

Leave a comment. Ask a question. Or e-mail me at clay.fowler@inlandnewspapers.com

Alta Loma senior J.J. O'Brien committed to Utah on Sept. 16 after visiting the campus in Salt Lake City, Utah the first weekend of September.

The versatile 6-foot-6, 205-pound small forward, a first-team all-Inland Valley player a year ago, narrowed his eight scholarship offers to a final three of Utah, Creighton and San Diego State.

"(Utah) just had a way better family feel than anywhere else," O'Brien said. "I decided to go ahead and commit before the season because a lot of people told me I couldn't get any more attention than I did this summer."

Etiwanda High School receiver Bobby Ratliff verbally committed to Washington State Tuesday night, according to Etiwanda head coach Steve Bryce. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound receiver also had scholarship offers from Fresno State, Nevada and New Mexico.

Oregon and UCLA showed interest, the Bruins going so far as to invite Ratliff for an official visit, but the senior opted for the school that had been pursuing him for more than a calendar year.

"UCLA was one he was really interested in," Bryce said. "But he didn't want to wait after he talked with his dad and myself and we told him these other teams haven't offered you because they've got their 'A' list and their 'B' list and they're waiting to see what's going to happen with their 'A' list."

Bryce first turned Washington State onto Ratliff when it was recruiting former Etiwanda and current Cal receiver Marvin Jones two years ago. WSU has been in heavy persuit since before Ratliff's junior season (45 receptions, 617 yards, 5 TDs) until he broke Jones' single-game school record five days ago with 14 catches for 147 yards.

"He visited (Washington State) two weeks ago," Bryce said. "And it looks like he'll have an opportunity to play there pretty early."

Besides making the playoffs, the Pomona High School football team has some lofty goals.

After a 29-0 win over Duarte Thursday night, Pomona's first-year head coach John Brown stated his desire for one player to give a college commitment every three weeks. Athletic quarterback Darrian Lewis has already committed to Eastern Michigan, where Ganesha HS grad Ron English is in the midst of his first season as a college head coach.

Next on the list, hopefully, is Pomona's 6-foot-6, 250-pound defensive end Deron Jefferson, said Brown.

Last year the Red Devils graduated cornerback Titus Teague to Louisville (where English was the defensive coordinator last season). His younger brother, Taj Teague, a promising looking junior, is hoping to continue the family tradition... and help build one that is apparently gaining steam at Pomona.

"A lot of people don't know about Pomona," Brown said, "and how we do things here."

Don Lugo High School's George Uko, scout.com's third-ranked defensive tackle in the nation - "I'm still trying to move up to No. 1," he said - has pared his list of 14 scholarship offers to five: USC, Cal, Oregon, Oklahoma and Tennessee.

The 6-foot-4, 295-pound senior who runs a 4.93 40 has scheduled trips to Cal (next week), Tennessee (Oct. 10) and Oregon (Nov. 14).

"I'll probably make my decision after I take my trips," Uko said. "It's hard to believe all this is happening to a kid from Don Lugo."

Hiroki Kuroda swivels to face Rick Honeycutt as the Dodgers pitching coach slides a seat in front of his opening day starter's locker. Catcher Russell Martin pulls up a chair and they're set to launch into a pre-game assessment of the scouting report.

But while fashioning Kuroda's plan of attack, neither Honeycutt nor Martin even glance in the pitcher's direction. Kuroda, in turn, directs his focus elsewhere.

Doing most of the talking - and all the communicating - every fifth day for 162 games is Kenji Nimura, a 37-year-old who hasn't played baseball since he was a teenager living in West L.A.

"You just have to trust him," Martin said, "that he's saying everything right."

Kaiser High School senior-to-be Anthony Brown verbally committed on Thursday to play football at USC.

The 5-foot-9, 180-pound running back/cornerback received an offer from USC after attending its football camp two weeks prior to committing. Brown, who doesn't know if he will play running back or cornerback in college, also had scholarship offers from Nebraska, Colorado, UTEP and San Diego State.

"He's always been impressed with USC," Kaiser coach Phil Zelaya said. "He decided he wanted to go there and compete with the best."

Brown rushed for 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns his junior season, helping Kaiser to a playoff appearance. He has started at running back for two seasons and started both ways as a junior.

"They offered him as an athlete," Zelaya said. "He isn't too concerned with where he'll play, he just wants the chance to compete."

Greg Watson, quarterback of the reigning CIF champions, has picked up his first scholarship offer, according to Rancho Cucamonga High School coach Nick Baiz.

Oregon offered the junior on the condition that he play defensive back, something Watson apparently isn't averse to.

"He'll play anything, anytime, anywhere," Baiz said. "He just wants to play."

Watson, who is generously listed at 6-feet, is extremely athletic but seemingly possesses all the skills to play quarterback in college. The only drawback seems to be his height.

It will be interesting to see how the junior's outlook on what position he'll play in college evolves as more offers inevitably come rolling in.

"It starts with 'Can I get some gym time?'" Rancho Cucamonga High School basketball coach Bill Burke said. "'If you give me some gym time, I'll give you some kids.'"

Although rumors of illegal recruiting of athletes to Inland Empire high schools rarely rise above a whisper, area basketball coaches almost unanimously acknowledge its presence.

Most violations are said to happen in conjunction with AAU basketball teams, home to promising players before and during their high school careers. The opportunity to influence a player's scholastic destination is introduced by the natural interaction between AAU and high school coaches.

Brandon Sermons woke up Wednesday morning knowing he would sign a national letter of intent, he just didn't know with whom.

The Diamond Ranch High School senior, ranked the 33rd best cornerback in the country by rivals.com, verbally committed to UCLA way back on Oct 21. But in the three weeks before signing day was wavering enough to visit hard-charging Oregon State and Washington.

These weren't just courtesy trips.

"Three days ago he was leaning Washington," Diamond Ranch football coach Roddy Layton said Wednesday afternoon. "Two days ago he was leaning UCLA. Yesterday he didn't know."

Sermons and Layton had a four-hour dinner Tuesday night, during which Sermons was leaning in so many different directions it's a good thing he was sitting down.

Here is a list of all the football recruits from the Inland Valley who signed national letters of intent on Wednesday...

Josh Andrews, OL, Colony - Oregon State
Richard Brehaut, QB, Los Osos - UCLA
Quayshawn Buckley, DL, Colony - Washington State
Arby Fields, RB, Los Osos - Northwestern
Davion Fleming, RB, Upland - Northwestern
Obum Gwacham, WR, Ayala - Oregon State
Osahon Irabor, CB, Upland - Arizona State
Alex Jefferies, WR, Eisenhower - Fresno State
Taj Johnson, DB, Upland - SUNY Stony Brook (I-AA)
Jared Koster, LB, Norco - UCLA
Kyle Lengyel, LB, Diamond Ranch - Air Force
Colin Lockett, DB, Diamond Bar - San Diego State
Vincent Minor, RB, Etiwanda - New Mexico
Immanuel Mitchell, CB, Roosevelt - Colorado State
Ibe Nduka, DE, Etiwanda - Fresno State
Josh Nunes, QB, Upland - Stanford
David Quiroga, DB, Ayala - New Mexico State
Kyle Salm, OL, San Dimas - Idaho
Brandon Sermons, DB, Diamond Ranch - UCLA
Irshad Stolden, WR, Rancho Cucamonga - UNLV
Titus Teague, CB, Pomona - Louisville
Bryan Townsend, OL, Rancho Cucamonga - Air Force
Graham Vickers, OL, Diamond Ranch - Navy
Xavier Molina-Williams, DL, Diamond Ranch - Colgate (I-AA)

After visiting the school over the weekend, Ayala High School wide receiver Obum Gwacham was offered a scholarship to Oregon State on Tuesday and immediately committed to the Beavers.

Gwacham had just 13 receptions for 262 yards and two touchdowns this season, but Oregon State was undoubtedly attracted to the freakish athletic ability of the 6-foot-6, 205-pound senior. Gwacham, the son of Nigerian parents who moved to the states when he was 7-years old, was the state's fifth-best high jumper last year, topping out at 6-foot-10 in his second consecutive trip to the state meet.

Gwacham also had offers from Idaho State, Sacramento State and Montana State. Prior to this season USC and Oregon coaches, among others, visited Ayala to express interest in Gwacham but communication dwindled during the season with not only those two schools, but Boise State and UNLV too.

Etiwanda High School defensive end Ibe Nduka was offered a scholarship by Fresno State on Monday and accepted on the spot, according to Etiwanda coach Steve Bryce.

Nduka's teammate, running back Vince Minor, committed to the University of New Mexico on Thursday, a week after he received the scholarship offer

The 5-foot-11, 215-pound Nduka took a trip to San Diego State last weekend but was not offered by the Aztecs. The first-team All-Inland Valley selection was scheduled to visit Fresno State this coming weekend. Nduka collected 12.5 sacks and 102 tackles this season on his way to earning Baseline League co-MVP honors.

Minor, who had 1,473 combined rushing and receiving yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior, had an offer from San Diego State before Aztecs' coach Chuck Long was fired in late November. Toby Neinas, the same assistant coach that rectuited Minor at SDSU, was hired at New Mexico.

"(Minor) was worried because San Diego State was his only offer," Bryce said. "But he had such a great rapport with his the coach, Nienas."

Minor, who will play running back at New Mecixo, was an all-Baseline League cornerback as a junior before the coaching staff restricted his playing time on defense as a senior.

Ayala WR/DB David Quiroga verbally committed to New Mexico State during his visit to the school this weekend, according to his father John.

On Jan. 5, Quiroga committed to new head coach DeWayne Walker pending his visit to Las Cruces, N.M. Apparently the 6-foot-1, 205-pound senior liked what he saw.

Walker, the former UCLA defensive coordinator hired by the Aggies on Dec. 31, is pushing for Quiroga to play on the defensive side of the ball, according to John Quiroga, despite David catching 72 passes for 1,096 yards and 10 TDs his junior season. With quarterback Matt Baca gone to Northern Colorado this season, Quiroga's totals dwindled to 36 receptions for 470 yards and five TDs but his position with the Aggies is yet to be determined. Quiroga was also the Bulldogs second leading rusher this season with 667 yards and nine TDs.

Ayala High School WR/DB David Quiroga has not officially issued a verbal commitment to New Mexico State, as reported by rivals.com.

During a phone conversation on Monday, Quiroga committed to New Mexico State's new head coach, former UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker, pending his visit to Las Cruces, N.M., according to John Quiroga, David's father. His visit is tentativily scheduled for Jan. 16.

Walker, who was hired away from UCLA on Dec. 31, is undeceided on what side of the ball the 6-foot-1, 200-pound Quiroga will play, if he attends New Mexico State.

Pomona High School running back Titus Teague didn't say anything for about five minutes. He was stunned to silence when Pomona head football coach Don Cayer told him Louisville was going to offer him a scholarship.

Wednesday night the senior was offered by Louisville defensive coordinator Ron Engish, a Ganesha graduate. He verbally committed on the spot, according to Cayer.

He has been contemplating it ever since he received a scholarship offer from them on Oct. 23 - the same day he committed to San Diego State - but Colony defensive tackle/offensive lineman Josh Andrews has officially changed his verbal commitment to Oregon State, according to Colony coach Anthony Rice.

The 6-foot-3, 265-pound senior, who is being recruited primarily as an offensive guard, is yet to take any of his official trips but plans to visit Oregon State, Colorado State and Washington State, who is interested but hasn't offered.

Colony defensive tackle/offensive lineman Josh Andrews, who committed to San Diego State Oct. 23, said he'll probably rescind his verbal pledge this week after receiving offers from Oregon State and Colorado State.

"(San Diego State) was my first offer and I probably didn't check out other options enough before I committed," said the 6-foot-2, 260-pound Andrews. "I'm having second thoughts. I'll probably end up at Oregon State."

Andrews is being recruited as an offensive lineman, though he plays both ways at Colony. In the next month he'll take official visits to Oregon State, Colorado State and Washington State, who is interested but hasn't offered.

Diamond Ranch offensive lineman Graham Vickers verbally committed to Navy on Monday, according to Diamond Ranch coach Roddy Layton.

The 6-foot-2, 262-pound senior also had scholarship offers from from Air Force, Army, Portland State and New Hampshire.

Vickers projects at any of the interior line positions in college. He also plays defensive line for Diamond Ranch and has collected 15 tackles and four sacks thus far.

Colony High School defensive tackles Quayshawne Buckley and Josh Andrews verbally committed to Washington State and San DIego State, respectively, on Thursday, according to Colony coach Anthony Rice.

Andrews, however, may change his mind after receiving offers from Oregon State and Washington State hours after issuing his commitment.

Los Osos High School running back Arby Fields has pocketed seven scholarship offers so far - Nevada, Northwestern, UNLV, Duke, Washington State, Colorado State and Idaho State - but the charismatic senior isn't in a rush to end the recruiting process.

He's hoping to have a decision in the next two to three weeks, but not before he takes official visits to Arizona State (who is interested but hasn't made an offer) Northwestern and Washington State.

"Most people say the process is so stressful," Fields said. "But I think it's fun. I just want to see what more is out there."

Stress clearly isn't an overwhelming presence in Fields' life, no better demonstrated than when the back broke the offensive huddle at the end of Thursday's practice by leading the group in a little Montell Jordan 'This is how we do it.'

Los Osos High School quarterback Richard Brehaut won't get the chance to come down with senior-itis.

UCLA football coach Rick Neuheisel asked the senior to cut short his final year of high school in order to enroll early at UCLA and participate in spring football practice, something Brehaut wasn't about to refuse, particularly considering UCLA's uncertain quarterback situation. Brehaut, the 11th-ranked QB in the nation on scout.com, verbally committed to the Bruins this summer.

So, is it preemptive to consider Brehaut a contender to start at quarterback for UCLA next season?

"I think he's got a good chance, to be honest," Los Osos coach Tom Martinez said.

After weighing circa 20 scholarship offers, Diamond Ranch cornerback Brandon Sermons verbally committed to UCLA Tuesday, Diamond Ranch coach Roddy Layton said.

Sermons, a 6-foot-1, 188-pound senior ranked the 27th best cornerback in the country by rivals.com, had recently narrowed his list to schools including UCLA, Oregon, Colorado, Oregon State and Arizona. USC, where Sermons' his older brother and Layton both played, expressed interest but hasn't offered.

"USC is USC and they think they can swoop in late and get some kids," Layton said. "It might be a possibility they could get him to switch but I think (Sermons) is pretty comfortable with UCLA. We've had some pretty serious conversations, so by now he's probably 99 percent sure. I don't think he's waiting on USC."

Four Diamond Ranch High School football players have received scholarship offers.

Cornerback Brandon Sermons from most of the Pac-10 including UCLA, Oregon, Arizona State, Arizona and Oregon State. USC has expressed interest but is yet to offer. Sermons, a 6-foot-1, 188-pound senior, is beginning to narrow his list to schools that include UCLA, Colorado, Arizona and Utah.

"Pete Carroll asked for film on him (Monday)," Diamond Ranch coach Roddy Layton said. "Rick Neuheisel calls every week and (Sermons) likes what they're doing with the
defense at Arizona, but now that USC has entered the mix that could change things."

The day Upland High School cornerback Osahon Irabor was set to announce which of the 14 scholarship offers he would accept, UCLA, of whom he's been a fan since childhood, swooped in with an offer.

Startled by the late offer, Irabor took a few days to mull it over but ultimately went with his original plan and committed to Arizona State on July 11. Apparently the verbal pledge to ASU hasn't deterred UCLA.

"(Head) coach (Rick) Neuheisel and coach (defensive coordinator Dewayne) Walker, they haven't given up," Irabor said. "They keep calling me but I'm pretty solid with Arizona State."

Former Etiwanda High School receiver Marvin Jones has been rotating between Cal's first and second teams in practice, according to Etiwanda football coach Steve Bryce.

When the Golden Bears host Michigan State in their season opener on Saturday, expect to see the 6-foot-2, 189-pound freshman get some decent playing time.

He won't be wearing No. 80, however. His number was switched to No.1, which used to adorn the jersey of DeSean Jackson, the receiver who racked up the third-most yards from scrimmage in school history during his three-year career at Cal before joining the Philadelphia Eagles.

Quipped Bryce: "I hope that doesn't go to his head."

Upland High School senior-to-be Osahan Irabor, a 5-foot-11, 183-pound cornerback, verbally committed to Arizona State on Friday despite an unexpected offer from longtime favorite UCLA three days earlier.

Had UCLA offered sooner - the Sun Devils offered him in December - Irabor admitted he may have been swayed by the Bruins. UCLA's offer appearing a direct result of losing commitments from two defensive backs didn't help the Bruins' case either.

"It could've been a different story if (UCLA) had been involved earlier," Irabor said Friday night. "They were looking at other DB's too, which was not the situation at ASU. They were interested in me from the beginning. With UCLA, it was just too little too late."

UCLA was Irabor's 15th scholarship offer. He narrowed the field to three on Saturday - ASU, Arizona and Nebreska - and was set to announce his decision Wednesday before UCLA abruptly entered the mix.

The day before Upland High School cornerback Osahon Irabor was to announce which of the 14 scholarship offers he'd accept, the 15th stopped him in his tracks.

Less than a week after he narrowed his potential destinations to theree - Arizona, Arizona State and Nebraska - UCLA offered the 5-foot-11, 183 pound senior-to-be Tuesday night.

"I was ready to make an announcement the following day but I am going to hold on for a few days to consider UCLA's offer and really sit down with my family and think this completely through," Irabor said in an e-mail. "I was totally caught by surprise and to have a chance to play in the Rose Bowl would be something special. The next few days will be tough for me, and I'm going to research and think this through completely. It will be hard to sleep in the next 48 hours."

Upland High School quarterback Josh Nunes chose the University of Tennessee from 30-plus scholarship offers, issuing a verbal commitment to the Vols on Tuesday night.

One of the most heralded football recruits in the Inland Empire, Nunes, who will begin his senior season in the fall, has been collecting scholarship offers since he was a sophomore. The final eight schools under consideration were: Tennessee, Florida, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Arizona State, BYU, Stanford and Harvard.

The 6-foot-4, 211-pound quarterback is the 10th-ranked pro style quarterback in the nation on rivals.com and the No. 181 overall recruit.

Upland High School junior quarterback Josh Nunes narrowed his list of potential colleges to eight on Tuesday.

Of the 20 scholarship offers the 6-foot-4, 211-pound Nunes received these are still under consideration: Florida, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Tennessee, Arizona State, BYU, Stanford and Harvard.

Nunes original plan was to cut the list to five on May 27 and make a final decision shortly thereafter. He altered his plan to include eight schools and allowed that the time frame may be on a sliding scale too.

"If I am unable to make my final decision soon, I plan on taking my five official visits to assist me in making my decision," Nunes said in a statement. "I look forward to doing more research on the schools I've narrowed it down to and continuing the process."

Los Osos High School quarterback Richard Brehaut verbally committed to UCLA Saturday night, minutes after receiving a scholarship offer from the Bruins.

The 6-foot-3 205-pound junior held a private workout for UCLA offensive coordinator Norm Chow on Thursday at Los Osos and secured the offer Saturday with a strong showing in front of Chow and UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel at the Steve Clarkson Super Seven quarterback camp in Santa Barbara.

"UCLA has been my dream school since I was a kid," Brehaut said. "This is unbelievable. It's a dream come true. Everything about UCLA is perfect for me."

The UCLA coaching staff assured Brehaut he'll be the only quarterback from the class of 2009 offered a scholarship by the school, a distinction he was competing for with Upland High School junior quarterback Josh Nunes.

Upland High School quarterback Josh Nunes, a junior who has received 15 scholarship offers, will whittle the list of potential colleges to five on May 27th, he said in an e-mail Wednesday.

Nunes will issue a verbal commitment to one of the five shortly after May 27th.

The offers for the 6-foot-4, 211-pound quarterback in chronological order: Arizona, Hawaii, Colorado, Stanford, San Diego State, Utah, Cal, Arizona State, BYU, Boise State, New Mexico, Louisville, SMU, Nebraska.

Los Osos High School's Richard Brehaut and Upland's Josh Nunes were both offered scholarships by San Diego State during the past week, according to Upland assistant coach Mike Esquivel.

Both members of the class of 2009 have been starting quarterbacks at their respective schools since they were sophomores.

SDSU is Brehaut's first offer. Nunes also has offers from Stanford, Arizona, Hawaii and Colorado.

As National SIgning Day approached, Diamond Ranch safety Shelton Miles was wavering between scholarship offers from The University of Idaho and The University of Texas-El Paso.

Tuesday the 5-foot-10, 180-pound safety said "it would take a lot" to sway him from UTEP. By Wednesday morning he had been swayed. Miles signed a national letter of intent with Idaho.

"I've never seen him as troubled as he's been the past few days," Diamond Ranch football coach Roddy Layton said. "I think it was one of those situations where the last coach he talked to, that's where he was going to go."

Upland quarterback Josh Nunes - who, as of Wednesday, is a year from being able to sign a letter of intent - received the third scholarship offer of his young career. Now on the list with last year's offers from Hawaii and Arizona is Colorado.

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound junior was offered by Colorado head coach Dan Hawkins via phone Wednesday morning. UCLA is a school Nunes is interested in and "would love to hear an offer from," according to Upland assistant coach Mike Esquivel.

Several high school football players from the Inland Valley are expected to sign letters of intent on Wednesday, National signing Day.
Here is the list the Daily Bulletin has compiled:

Matt Baca, QB, Ayala -- Northern Colorado (DI-AA)
Christian Barker, OT, Etiwanda -- Nevada
Josh Foley, QB, Norco -- Portland State (DI-AA - will play WR)
Cory Harkey, TE, Chino Hills -- UCLA
Michael Harris, RB, Chino Hills -- Fresno State
Kyle Johnson, OT, Norco -- Arizona State
Marvin Jones, WR, Etiwanda -- Cal
Ryan McMahon, FS, Damien -- USC (walk-on)
Shelton Miles, SS, Diamond Ranch -- UTEP
Joshua Nakamoto, RB, Norco -- Portland State (DI-AA)
Wade O'Neil, LB, Chino Hills -- San Jose State
A.J. Pickens, RB, Don Lugo -- Arizona State
Tracy Pugh, DE, Chino Hills -- San Jose State
John Rabe, DE, Damien -- Nevada
Tre'Shawn Robinson, LB, Upland -- Idaho
Daniel Simmons, CB, Colony -- Washington State
Damion Whittington, LB, Norco -- Fresno State
Khalid Wooten, QB, Carter -- Nevada (will play DB)

Matt Baca is done waiting for a Division I scholarship offer. The Ayala quarterback committed Jan. 21 to the University of Northern Colorado, a Division I-AA (or FCS - Football Championship Subdivision, if you want to get technical) school in Greeley, Colo.

"I'm not worried about what everybody else thinks. I know I made a good decision," Baca said. "Northern Colorado is an ideal place for me."

Diamond Ranch High School safety Shelton Miles has narrowed his potential college choices to UTEP and Idaho.

The 5-foot-10, 180-pound senior has taken recruiting trips to each campus but says he likely won't make a decision until Feb. 6, National Signing Day.

"It's pretty much split right down the middle right now," Miles said. "I love both programs but I haven't made up my mind."

Damien High School safety Ryan McMahon will walk on at USC next season despite standing scholarship offers from UNLV, Utah State and Idaho State.

Through weekly contact with the USC coaching staff and his own analysis of the roster, the 6-foot, 187-pound senior believes he can succeed in one of the premiere college football programs in the country.

"I feel like I can fight my way up the depth chart at USC," McMahon said. "I know they're bringing in a lot of good players and they've already got a lot of good players there. If I didn't think I could do it, I wouldn't go there."

Etiwanda High School's Christian Barker is "95 percent sure" he'll sign a national letter of intent with the University of Nevada on Feb. 6, national signing day.

After the 6-foot-4, 310-pound offensive tackle took his official recruiting trip to Reno, Nev., last weekend, he is considering cancelling a trip to Oregon State scheduled for the first weekend in February, he said Wednesday.

During his official visit to the school, Chino Hills running back Michael Harris verbally committed to Fresno State on Sunday.

The 5-foot-11, 195-pound senior was also offered scholarships by Utah, San Diego State and Minnesota, the only other school he visited. Fresno State was the only school of his prospects to guarantee Harris he'd play running back as opposed to defensive back.

"It's most of the reason I committed to Fresno," Harris said. "The coaches were very honest with me. Everything they told me was real. I pretty much knew on my way up there I was going to commit but I just wanted to see the campus and everything to make sure."

Etiwanda High School's 6-foot-4, 310-pound tackle Christian Barker has narrowed his potential college choices to three: Oregon State, Nevada and Utah State.

He visited Utah State last weekend, will take a trip to Nevada this weekend and Oregon State the first weekend in February.

His first scholarship offer came two weeks ago from Utah State. Nevada offered the next day. Oregon State has not made an offer.

"It felt good to get that first offer; I was starting to think it was never going to happen," Barker said. "I saw people around me who I thought I was better than getting offers."

The window of opportunity is closing, but Matt Baca isn't panicking. While many will sign national letters of intent on Feb. 6, Ayala High School's quarterback has not received any college scholarship offers.

He was close to a deal with Utah State until their decision two weeks ago to switch to an option offense that doesn't fit the drop back passer that threw for 2,398 yards with 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season.

Two Division I-AA schools are considering Baca: Northern Colorado and Southern Utah. Two Division II schools - Central Missouri and Minnesota Moorhead - are also looking at him. Division-I Idaho is still considering him, but Baca isn't confident they'll make an offer.

"A lot of people are telling me I shouldn't go to a Division II school, that I'm good enough to get a D-I scholarship," Baca said. "Recruiting is a tough game but I'm not going to start panicking. Our punter didn't get his scholarship last year until June."

Don Lugo High School's A.J. Pickens verbally committed to Arizona State on Tuesday. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound senior will play slot receiver for the Sun Devils after serving in a variety of roles at Don Lugo, including running back, cornerback and kick returner.

Pickens received scholarship offers from six other schools: Arizona, Washington, Oregon State, Utah, San Diego State and Fresno State. He took official recruiting trips to all but Utah and San Diego State. The decision boiled down to Arizona and Arizona State.

Chino Hills High School tight end Cory Harkey is not wavering from his verbal commitment to UCLA despite the firing of Karl Dorrell on Dec. 3 and hiring of Rick Neuheisel on Saturday.
The 6-foot-4, 240 pound senior was admittedly displeased when Dorrell was fired but said Wednesday he never contemplated looking elsewhere.
"It was upsetting," Harkey said. "But I've heard nothing but good things about Neuheisel."
Harkey hasn't yet spoken to Neuheisel but was told by UCLA tight ends coach Angus McClure he'd likely be receiving a call soon. Harkey caught 30 passes for 473 yards and three touchdowns this season for 6-3-1 Chino Hills.